A blog to help you optimize your full-body and life performance

Humans are diurnal animals, meaning we work during the day, and sleep and restore (both physically and mentally) at night. But things like technology, long work days, and even light bulbs have drastically expanded what we consider ‘waking hours’ compared to those of our evolutionary ancestors. For most of history, when the sun went down, our bodies knew it was time for bed. But now, most of us couldn't possibly imagine sacrificing those extra few hours between sunset and bedtime!

So if we're not relying on light as a cue for day and night, what do we use? Well, the overwhelming answer is food! The first bite or sip of anything other than water in the morning kicks your metabolism into gear for the day ahead. But recent research shows that hacking this system by limiting how often we eat can improve multiple different facets of health. Here's how to biohack your body clock.

We've all weighed the costs and benefits of working out when sick: "My throat hurts, so I'll stick to weights and avoid heavy breathing." Or, "maybe a good sweat will break this fever." Often times, it just boils down to, "yeah I feel like crap, but I have a plan I have to stick to." So we compromise and try to push through our workouts, even though we’re suffering (more than normal, that is). After all, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right? Well, while forcing a workout when you’re under the weather probably won’t kill you, it's also not necessarily making you stronger. Here's why.

When our immune system is in tip top shape, we take it for granted and rarely give it any love. But, the minute the sniffles start, our eyes begin to water, or we get that raw feeling in the back of our throat, we expect (and hope) that our immune system will pick up the slack. And only then do we reach for the vitamin C, sneak in an extra hour of sleep, or take a precautionary day off of work.

But the immune system is a complicated network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect our bodies on a daily basis, not just on sick days. And since it’s so complex, maintaining immune health can’t be narrowed down to popping one supplement or adding one superfood to a breakfast bowl. Rather, the key to a healthy, well-balanced immune system is an equally healthy and well-balanced lifestyle.

Looking to optimize immune health? Here's our how-to guide for immune responses that work like a well-oiled machine, and a body that feels like one.

Sleeping through your alarm. Showing up unprepared to a presentation. Forgetting an important birthday. Getting stressed out just reading? I can relate. But by making my InsideTracker goal ‘Reduce Stress,’ tracking certain biomarkers, and making some lifestyle changes, I’ve been able to find relaxation, mindfulness, and balance in my fast-paced daily life.

Most of us can recognize the symptoms of an off-kilter digestive system: acid reflux, bloating, stomach pains, discomfort, constipation, excess gas, etc. But once they set in, do you know how to get back to neutral?

Two foods that have been getting the limelight lately to help? Kombucha and kimchi. But are these ‘gut healthy’ foods just enjoying their 15 minutes of fame, or are they here to stay?

For many athletes from beginners to professionals, taking painkillers has become a pre- or post-event ritual. One study found that almost 60 percent of racers at the 2008 Ironman Triathlon in Brazil reported using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers (often referred to as NSAIDs) at some point in the three months leading up to the event, with about half of them taking a pill during the race. Many athletes take these medications as a way of relieving discomfort during and after a workout or athletic event, and also before exercising to prevent pain. But can overusing painkillers compromise your health and performance?

Inflammation is part of your body’s immune response: it influences the health of your cardiovascular system, affects how quickly your injuries heal, and plays a role in determining whether or not you catch a cold. Inflammation affects everyone—whether they are young, old, athlete, or non-athlete.

I’ll admit it: for the past year, I had been negligent about completing my bloodwork for InsideTracker to analyze. As a full-time graduate student in Boston who was working two jobs, it was difficult for me to find the time to get myself over to the blood center in between class and work. To make matters worse, the nearest blood center in the Boston area was inaccessible via public transportation…and I don’t have a car. So, what’s a time-strapped, car-less girl to do?

What can influence how quickly your injuries heal, whether or not you catch the flu, and the health of your cardiovascular system? The answer: inflammation! Inflammation is part of the vascular system’s complex response to harmful stimuli. The tissues and blood cells that keep your body healthy are intertwined in a complex network that makes up your vascular system. It plays a critical role in maintaining your body’s immune system and heart function. Inflammation affects everyone –